Machine for popping popcorn and vending the same



Oct. 25, 1938. QBDYKE 2,134,088

MACHINE FOR POPPING POPCORN AND VENDING THE SAME Filed Dec. 29, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR laws 21.. OBDYKE' ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1938-. L. K. OBDYKE 2,134,088

MACHINE FOR POPPING POPCORN AND VENDING THE SAME Filed Dec. 29, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 x "41mm "1 "5" *jfiwynmlmumml mam ln IIIIII INVENTOR Zows [C OBDYKE ATTORNEY- L.K.OBDYKE MACHINE FOR POPPING POPCORN AND VENDING THE SAME INVENTOR Lows If. Oaovxs y an law ATTORNEY 8 SheetsSheet 5 INVFNTOR Lav/5 Ti/50mm ATTORNEY.

L. K. OBDYKE MACHINE FOR POPFING POPCORN AND VENDING THE SAME Filed D66. 29, 1957 lmwlgywrlki I Jill/7M7!!! Oct. 25, 1938.

Oct. 25, 1938. L. K. OBDYKE 2,134,083

MACHINE FOR POPPING POPCORN AND VENDING THE SAME Filed Dec. 29, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 lug. 6

OQOOOO INVENTOR 7 Laws [C OBDYKE ATTORNEY- Oct. 25, 1938. OBDYKE 2,134,088

MACHINE FOR POPPING POPCORN AND VENDING THE SAME Filed Dec. 29, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet '7 .4 m f} '5 i 12 446 459 g m o 440 INVENTOR Law: If Oazwxz ATTORNEY Oct. 25, 1938. K, OBDYKE 2,134,088

MACHINE FOR POPPING POPCORN AND VENDING THE SAME Filed Dec. 29, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 lN VENTOR low: if Ozepwrz ATTORNEY Patented'oct. 25, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mm x. Obdyke, Glendale, Calif.

Application December 29, 1937, Serial No. mam

Claims.

. This invention relates to an automatic vending machine, and particularly pertains to a machine for popping popcorn and vending the same.

Heretofore various types of popcorn popping 5 and vending machines have, been made. It is of prime importance in machines of this type that the popcorn be popped rapidly and that the quantity of grains being heated at any one time shall be thoroughly popped. This requires a controlled application of heat, as well as means for introducing a determined quantity of corn into the popping receptacle and for emptying the popped corn from the receptacle after proper popping interval has taken place. One of the objections to machines of this type has been that since the popcorn is bought by the individual, who initiates operation and waits until the corn is popped, it is necessary to pop the corn in the shortest possible interval oi time. In doing' this an extreme heating temperature is required and this sometimes results in the accidental ignition of the corn producing a serious flre hazard. If on the other hand a proper high temperature is not provided the corn may not be thoroughly p pped, or will require such a long popping interval as to prejudice prospective customers against using the machine.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a machine for automatically popping and dispensing popcorn within which a determined quantity of corn may be disposed in a popping receptacle and which receptacle is disposed in proximity to a heating element adapted to heat a liquid heating medium within which the vcorn is popped thereby insuring the development of a maximum amount of heating for the popping operation and eliminating the fire hazard attendant thereto. It isa further object of the present invention to provide novel means for supplying and maintaining a quantity of liquid heating medium in association with the heating element, to supply a condiment to the popped corn and to discharge the corn from the popping a receptacle by an automatic operation when it has been popped.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a suitable wiring arrangement including automatic switch controls for the heating element and the driving motor and thermostat controls to establish and maintain a desired temperature in the liquid heating medium.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. in which:

56 Figurelisaviewinperspectiveshowingthe complete machine with which the present invention is concerned.

, Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section through the machine showing the parts in elevation and with the side of the machine removed.

Fig. 3 is a view in plan through the preferred form of the invention as seen on the line H of, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a 'view in central vertical section through the machine as seen on the line H 1. of Fi 3.

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical section showing the pump mechanism and the manner in which liquid level is maintained within the heating pan.

Fig. 6 is a view showing the popping receptacle 1 in a tilted position and indicating the manner in which the oil draining from the floor oi. the receptacle is directed back into the heating pan.

Fig. 7 is a view in plan with parts broken away showing a modified form of the invention ingo which a perforate floor is provided for the popping receptacle.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in section and side elevation as seen on the line 8-8 of Fig. 10 showing the coin control switch with parts in 25 solid lines indicating the open position of the switch and parts in dotted lines indicating an intermediate position partially closing the switch.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the switch in closed position.

Fig. 10 is a view in section and elevation as seen on the line ll-ll of Fig. 9 showing the switch mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a view showing the wiring diagram of the machine including, an electric thermostat temperature control.

Fig. 12-is a view showing the wiring diagram of the machine showing a fluid expansion temperature control.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a it indicates a main frame comprising a plurality of lower horizontal frame elements i I, and upper frameelements I! connected at their corners by frame posts I! and cross connected by horizontal elements i4. Suitable cover panels l5 are sup- 4; ported by these elements to provide a closure for the operating mechanism of the device. These panels are preferably formed with windows IS and carry a top ll there-above. At a point intermediate the top and bottom elements II and i2 50 are horizontal elements ll for supporting a floor [9. Upon this floor the main units of the present invention are mounted. The structure includes a heating unit 2|, a popping receptacle 2|, a synchronized driving unit 22 and a motor 23. u

Mounted in the top I! of the structure is a. popping corn receptacle 24, and disposed beneath the floor I9 is a reservoir 25 containing popping oil and means to pump this oil.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings it will be seen that an insulated base 26 is mounted on the floor I9 and serves as a support for electric heating elements 21. These elements may be disposed in any desired arrangement, but are preferably disposed parallel to each other and are positioned in a common horizontal plane. Electric conduits 28 and 29 are attached to these heating elements to supply current therefor in a manner to be hereinafter described. Mounted in heating exchange relationship to the heating elements 21 is a heating pan 38. This is a shallow pan preferably rectangular in shape and extending with its marginal length lengthwise of the machine. Popping liquid is intended to be used in said pan and is delivered from the popping oil reservoir unit 25 as will be hereafter described. Tiltably mounted with relation to the pan is the corn popping receptacle 2| which is formed with opposite side walls 32 and a vertical back wall 33. A top wall 34 is provided to prevent the corn from popping over the top of the receptacle and into improper parts of the machine. The. bottom of the receptacle is formed with a perforate floor 35 which under normal conditions will be submerged within the heating pan 38. It is found preferable to make the floor 35 from reticulated materials. The forward end of the receptacle is open and extends between side walls 36. These walls form the opposite sides of a downwardly extending shute 31 which communicates with an outwardly and downwardly inclined discharge shute 38. The discharge shute 38 extends through the front wall I5 of the housing for the machine and is normally covered by a door 39 which is hinged upon a horizontally disposed hinge at its upper edge. The popping receptacle 2I is mounted upon arms 48. The arms are fixed to the side walls 32 of the receptacle and have downwardly and forwardly extending portions 4| .which are engaged by a horizontal pivot rod 42 Brackets 43 are carried by fixed brackets 43. suitably attached to the insulating block 26 or to the floor l9. An extending lever end 44 forms acontinuation of one of the arms 48 and is engaged by an operating rod 45 actuated by mechanism to be hereinafter described. A vertical bracket 46 is fixed adjacent to the rear end of the unit 22 as will be hereinafter described. The top wall 34 of the popping receptacle has an inclined opened mouth 58 whichis in filling register with a spout 5I leading from a valve housing 52. The valve housing 52 rotatably supports a valve element 53 which is formed with a slotted opening 54 normally in alignment with a draw-01f shute 55 leading from the popping corn receptacle 24. A vertical plate 58 is adjustably mounted upon a screw 5! and may be used to control the'width of a throat 58 through which the popping corn may flow from the receptacle 24 into the valve 53. The valve is rotatably supported upon end trunnions 54, one of which carries an operating lever 55. This lever is connected with a pitman rod 59 which is driven from the power transmission unit 22 in a manner to behereinafter described. The spout 5I is fitted with a safety shutter 68 which is carried upon a pivot 6I mounted on a. bracket 62 of the spout. A lever 63 is connected with the member 68 and extends downwardly where it terminates in a support for a roller64 which engages the back wall of the receptacle 2I A horizontal extension of the lever 63 forms an arm 65 carrying a counterweight 66. The counterweight tends to swing the gate 68 closed when the receptacle 2! is in a tilted position and when it is out of engagement with the roller 64 carried by the lever.

The synchronized power unit 22 comprises a main frame 6'! having vertical portions 68 and 6,9 spaced from each other to form bearing supports for the various shafts to be hereinafter described. The motor 231s provided with a reduction gear unit 18 which drives a shaft II. The shaft II extends horizontally and is rotatably supported in the members 68 and 69 of the frame. Mounted upon the shaft II is a worm gear I2 and a cam I3 which engages the end of the rod 48 and vibrates it. The worm gear I2 drives a worm wheel I4 which is mounted upon a transversely extending shaft I5 mounted in front and rear brackets I6 and T! of the frame 6I. A worm gear I8 is mounted upon the shaft 15 and is in mesh with a worm wheel I9 carried by the cam shaft 88.

The cam shaft 88 is provided with cam discs 8| and 82. These discs are spaced in,relatlon to, each other upon the shaft 88 and are each formed with a cam groove in their opposing faces. The cam groove represents a single throw cam and as is shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the throw of these cams are angularly spaced from eachother for a purpose to be hereinafter described. A rock shaft 83 is mounted through the uprights 88 and 69 of the frame 61 and carries an operating lever 84 upon which a roller 85 is mounted. The roller engages the cam groove of the cam 82 and is directly concerned with the tilting of the popcorn receptacle 3|. The lever 84 is pinned to the shaft 83 and rotates therewith. Freely mounted upon the shaft 83 is a bell crank 86 having an upwardly projecting arm 81 which connects with the operating link 59 of the feed valve. The bell crank 86 has a lever 88 which carries a roller 89 and meshes with the cam groove of the cam disc 8|,

thus the bell crank may rock upon'the shaft 83 independentlyof rotation of the shaft as actuated by its lever 84. Fixed to .the end of the shaft 83 is a lever 98. This lever extends downwardly and carries a pivot pin 9| to which the tilt bar 45 is connected as previously described.

Fixed upon the shaft 83 is a pump lever 92 which carries a pump rod 93 extending downwardly into the popping oil reservoir 25. Mounted upon the lower end of the pump rod is a piston 95 here shown as 'being circular in shape and having a reduced lower end portion 96 to provide clearance at the bottom of the piston for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The piston reciprocates within a cylinder 91 mounted within the reservoir having a communicating port 98 to permit fluid to be drawn into the reservoir. Adjacent to the lower end of the cylinder 91 there is an outlet pipe 99 which extends upwardly and over the lip of the heating pan 38 previously described. On the down stroke of" the pump a considerable quantity of popping oil is forced upwardly through the tube 99 and into the heating pan, and on the reverse stroke such oil as is represented by the depth of submergence of the down turned mouth I88 of/the tube will be 75 drawn back into the reservoir. This tends to maintain the oil clean and sweet and at the same time will insure that a constant level of oil will be maintained above the heating elements within the pan 30.

Vibration of the popping receptacle 3|, as has been previously indicated, is produced by rotation of the.cam element 13 as it moves against the end of the vibrating rod 48, and this in turn acts against the end of the receptacle. The receptacle 3I has limited movement upon the horizontal portion of the arms 40 due to the fact that slotted openings I I are formed in the arms to receive fastening pins I02. Attached to one of the fastening pins I02 on each side of the receptacle is a spring I03 which is attached to a pin I04 carried by the arm. This makes it possible for the receptacle to have a limited horizontal movement with relation to the tilting arms 40 and while being vibrated by the rod 49. Supporting stops I04 are mounted upon the base structure associated with the heating pan 30 and thus insure a rigid support for the heating receptacle while it is being horizontally vibrated.

The vibrating action in the present instance also performs the function of measuring a desired quantity of salt to be supplied to the batch of popcorn as it is being discharged from the receptacle. The salt supplying device comprises a box I05 which is detachably mounted upon the horizontal portion of the top wall 34 of the popping receptacle and may be secured by an angular member I06 and a pin I01. A bottom wall is formed in the salt container as indicated at I08. A false top wall I09, is disposed thereabove and forms a throat I I0 therebetween. The top wall terminates short of the rear of the container and is there formed with an upwardly extending lip III which forms one marginal edge of a passageway II2 establishing communication from the container I05 to the passageway III). As the receptacle vibrates a small amount of salt will shake over the lip III and through the passageway II2 into the lower passageway IIO from which it will be emptied when the receptacle is tilted through opening II3 formed in the upper wall 34 of the popping receptacle 2 I.

As hereto before stated, the present invention is intended preferably as a coin controlled popcorn dispensing device in which the corn actually popped after a coin has been inserted will be dispensed to the purchaser. For that purpose a conventional type of coin control is utilized as generally indicated at II4 inthe drawings. This device comprises a housing II5 mounted through the front wall of the case and slidably supporting an operating bar I I6. A coin is placed in the opening H1 and when so placed will permit the operating bar to slide rearwardly and actuate the switch mechanism with which the structure here disclosed is provided. Referring more particularly to Figs. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings it will be seen that the switch mechanism includes a frame I I8 within which a shaftv I I 9 is rotatably mounted. This shaft projects through vertical members I of the frame which are spaced from each other. At one end of the shaft is an adjusting arm I2I which may be set upon the shaft in a desired angular position by a set screw I22. The limit of rotation of the shaft and arm I2I is adjustably controlled by a lug I23 and a set screw I24. Mounted upon the opposite end of the shaft H9 is a friction collar I25 which is pinned to the shaft and against which a face of an operating lever I26 is held yieldably by a coil spring I21 which circumscribes the shaft H9 and is set with a desired tension by nuts I28. The lever I26 is attached to an operating link I29 by a pivot pin I30. The upper end of the link I29 is attached by a pivot pin I3I to a lever arm I32 which is mounted in an adjustable set position upon the pivot rod 42 by a set screw I33. This particular arrangement is shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings.

Mounted upon the shaft II 9 are two switch levers I34 and I35. The switch lever I 34 has an upwardly extending arm I36 and a downwardly extending arm I31. The switch lever I has an upwardly extendingarm I 38 and a downwardly extending arm I39. The downwardly extending arm I31 carries a mercury switch tube I40 and the downwardly extending arm I39 carries a mercury switch tube I4I. One of these tubes is disposed at an angle to the radius of its supporting arm, and the other tube is disposed at an opposite angle to the radius to its supporting arm for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The lever I34 is freely mounted upon the shaft H9 and is urged toward its normal position with the arm I 36 extending forwardly as acted upon by a spring I42. The switch arm I35 is partially free to rotate upon the shaft H9 and will snap from one position to another as actuated. The hub of the switch arm I35 indicated at I43 is formed with a cut-away segment I44 into which a pin I45 extends. This pin is fixed radially upon the, shaft II9. A frame structure I46 is pivotally secured on a pin I41 to the arm I38 and is attached at its lower end to a spring I48 which in turn is suitably fastened to the bottom of the frame structure. Thus when the upper end of the arm I38 is swung over center by force applied by the coin operating mechanism it will retain this position until the pin I45 engages the side of the segment I44 at which time it will be urged to rotate toward its normal position and when it passes over center the spring I48 will instantly pull it to its original position preparatory to actuation by the coin control mechanism. It is to be understood that the upper arm members I36 and I 38 lie in the path of travel of the coin operated bar I I6 and that they will both be swung to their extreme positions as the bar moves inwardly after which the arm I36 will move back to its original position under influence of the spring I42.

As shown in the drawings, two forms of wiring diagram and thermostat control are provided. Oneshowing the use of an electric thermostat disclosed in Fig. 11, and the other being by the use of a fluid pressure thermostat as shown in Fig. 12. Referring particularly to Fig. 11 of the drawings it will be seen that lead wires I50 and I5 I are provided. A storage heater I52 which is mounted within the oil reservoir unit 25 is directly connected to the leads by wires I 53 and I54. A conductor I 55 leads to one side of a mercury tube I40, which tube is provided with a conductor I56 leading to mercury tube I H, the two tubes being connected in' series. A conductor I51 connects the tube I with the motor 23. A lead conductor I58 completes the motor circuit. The heating element lead wires 28 and 29, as previously described, supply current to a plurality of heating elements 21. The lead wires 28 and 29 connect folds of a double knife switch having blades I59 and I60. These make contact with the conductors I50 and I 5I. The switch is controlled by a relay 6I having a conductor I62 connected with the ead wire I50 and a conductor I63 which is broken by a switch element I64. The switch element I64 is controlled by a suitable thermostat I65 I which is submerged within the heating oil and controls the heat of the oil at a predetermined temperature within the pan 36.

-In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings; the wire diagram is substantially the same as previously described, but a pressure control device is shown for the heater. In this form of the device a fluidtube I66 is submerged within the oil in the pan 36 and provided with a conduit I61 which leads to a syphon bellows I68. This bellows when extended operates the blades I59 and I 66 of the two-way switch previously described. Across the'corresponding line terminals of this switch condensers I69 and I16 are placed.

It has been found that during the tilting operation there is a tendency for oil from the pan to adhere to the floor pan by capillary attraction and to drain toward the lower end of the floor when the receptacle is tilted. In order to'prevent this from draining over the edge of the pan a drain member 1| is provided. This member is in the form of a thin metal plate which is hinged at I12 to the forward edge of the receptacle. The trailing edge of the plate is preferably reduced in width, but in any event the material which drains downwardly along the floor of the receptacle will encounter the plate I11 and will then'drain oppositely back into the bcdyof oil within the pan 36 rather than to drain over the side of the pan and on to unrelated parts.

In the operation of the present invention the popcorn receptacle 24 is suitably filled with popcorn and the adjusting plate 56 in the shute 55 is adjusted to control a space 58 through which the corn may flow to the measuring element 59. This element being semi-cylindrical receives the popcorn and delivers it to the outlet spout 5| which is controlled by the gate 66. It will be understood that it. might be possible to operate the device by eliminating the gate 66 if desired. When it is used, however, the roller 64 on the lever arm 63 will bear against the rear wall of the popping receptacle 2| and will hold the gate open, but will act as a safety device to close the spout automatically while the popping receptacle is tilted. The reservoir 25 which receives the popping oil has been filled as well as the heating pan 36. When the current is initially turned on in the machine it will directly flow to the storage heater I52 which is located within the popping oil reservoir 25. This will maintain the popping oil at a suitable temperature at all times. The machine may then be placed into operation by placing a coin in the opening 1 of the coin housing 5 and then moving the operating bar 6 in the direction of the arrow as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The rear end of the operating bar 6 when moved a suflicient distance rearwardly will encounter the upwardly extending and forwardly leaning arms I36 and I31 of the switch levers I34 and I35 respectively. These levers as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings will simultaneously swing in the direction of the arrow b and will at the same time incline the mercury switch tubes I46 and I to assume the positions indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8. When the operating bar 6 is retracted the switch lever I34 will be restored to its original position by the spring I42 so that the tube I carried thereby will be disposed at an angle to complete a circuit in series through the two tubes I46 and MI. The motor may be controlled by a rheostat I96. This is mounted in the line I51 to the motor and a circuit will thus be completed from the lead wire |5| through conductor I55, the tubes I46 and MI and their intermediate conductor I56 and thence along conductor I51 and the rheostat to the motor 23. The circuit is completed from the motor along conductor I58 to lead wire I56.

A circuit will be partially established to the heating elements 21 of the pan 36 from conductor I56 and conductor |5| .to the switch elements I59 and I66 and thence along conductors 28 and 29 to the heating elements. This circuit is completed when the oil is below a predetermined temperature and the switch elements I59 and I66 are closed by the relay |6| as. actuated break the circuit to the heatingelements 21. In I either event it will be evident that a constant control temperature of the heating oil will be maintained. Whenthe switch levers I34 and.|35 assume the position shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings they will establish the motor circuit as previously described and the sequence of the operation of the machine will then proceed. The motor will drive the shaft 1| through the transmission unit 16 and will cause the worm gear 12 to drive the worm wheel 14. This in turn will rotate shaft 15 with its worm gear 18 and will rotate the operating cams 8| and 82 in the direction of the arrow 0 as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The operating'cam 8| which is engaged by the roller 89 carried by the arm 88' of the lever 86 will swing the lever arm 81 forwardly in the direction of the arrow (1" in Fig. 2, and this in turn will rotate the popcorn measuring valve 53 forwardly until it discharges a measured amount of popcorn in the open throat 5|. The popcorn will then pass directly through the opening 56 in to the top of the receptacle and will rest upon the bottom wall 35 of the receptacle. It will be understood that at this time the bottom wall of the receptacle is submerged to a predetermined depth within the popping oil carried by the pan 36. As the cam 8| continues to rotate it will swing the lever arm 86 so that the operating connecting rod 59 will restore the popcorn measuring valve to its original position. The shaft 1| which is continuously rotating will revolve its cam 13 acting to vibrate the rod 48 and to thus impart a horizontal vibrating motion to the popping receptacle 3| as it is supported on the arm structure 46. The springs I63 will hold the popcorn receptacle yieldably with its member 49 against the vibrating. rod 48. During this period the popping 0peration takes place. At the same time the salt As the cam shaft 86 rotates the cam disc 82 will move the roller 85 and swing the rocker arm 84 which is pinned to the shaft 83. This will cause the lever 96 to swing. in the direction of the arrow d as indicated in Fig. 2, and will act to direct the draw bar 45 to swing the lever structures upwardly and forwardly as indicated at e" in Fig. 2. This will lift the popping receptacle 3I upwardly from the heating pan 3!! and will swing it forwardly to tilt it between the confining side members 36. At the same time the salt receptacle will be inclined and cause salt to pour through the throat III! and to sprinkle down upon the falling popcorn. The salted popcorn will then pass into the throat 31 where it accumulates upon the gate 39. This gate may be opened at the will of the operator by pulling upon an operating knob I9I carried upon a rod I92 and extended through the cover panel I5 to lever I93 which is pivoted upon a pin I94. A counterweight arm I95 is formed integral with the lever I93 and carries a counterweight I96. The gate I 39 is secured to this structure and will swing downwardly to open the throat 31 when the rod I92 is drawn forwardly. Conveniently disposed within the machine, suchfor example at I91, is a receptacle carrying sacks which may be withdrawn to receive the popcorn discharged through the shute 39. 3

Attention is directed to the fact that at the time the popping receptacle is tilted and swings around the axis of the shaft 42 it will cause lever I32 to swing downwardly as indicated by the arrow 7 in Fig. 5 of the drawings. This will operate the arm I26 which frictionally engages the switch shaft I I9 and as the shaft I I9 is thereby rotated the pin I45 carrivd by the shaft II! will engage the face of the cut-away segment I44 on the boss I43 of switch lever I and cause it to swing in a counter-direction to that indicated by the arrow 17 in Fig. 8 so that as the lever passes over center the spring I49 will swing the lever I35 to a position of alignment with the lever I34. During this swinging movement the motor circuit will be broken and when the popping receptacle is restored to its normal horizontal position the lever arm I26 will be returned to its original position ready for the next operation. As the shaft 33 rotates on its axis it also swings the pump lever 92. This swinging action takes place as the popping receptacle 3I is raised and tilted to discharge its contents. While the swinging action takes place the piston rod 93 is forced downwardly and then outwardly and upwardly through the tube 99. This action will supply an excess of popping oil to the pan 30, but when the cycle of operation continues the piston 95 will be lifted within .the cylinder 9! and will draw oil back into the reservoir 25 until it has been lowered to the level of the down turned lip I90 of the tube 99, at which level it will be maintained.

It will thus be seen that the invention here disclosed provides a simple and effective means for measuring, popping and dispensing popcorn by an automatic operation set into action by a coin control mechanism and following through its sequence of performance without the further attention of an operator. It will also be manifested that by submerging the perforate floor of the popping receptacle into a controlled quantity of popping oil the corn will be initially submerged within the oil and will subsequently pop in a relative short interval of time and will require a desirable degree of freshness and flavor as the operation proceeds. It will be evident that these operations are brought about without possibility of fire hazard and without necessity of popping large batches of popcorn in anticipation of the demands of customers.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention as now known to me, it will be understood that various changes may be made in combination, construction, and arrangement of parts by skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of my invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for popping popcorn and vending the same, comprising a heating pan containing a quantity of popping liquid, electric heating means associated with said pan for heating the liquid, a separate popping liquid reservoir, and operating means acting to fill the heating pan with liquid in excess of that required for the popping operation and to thereafter withdraw liquid from the pan until a predetermined level is reached.

2. In a machine for popping popcorn and vending the same, comprising a heating pan containing a quantity of popping liquid, electric heating means associated with said pan for heating the liquid, a separate popping liquid reservoir, operating means acting to fill the heating pan with liquid in excess of that required for the popping operation and to thereafter withdraw liquid from the pan until a predetermined level is reached, and means for heating the liquid within the reservoir.

3. A machine for popping and vending popcorn, comprising a heating pan into whichpopping oil is placed, electric heating means therefor, a popping oil reservoir, an electric heating element within said reservoir, a reciprocating pump adapted to be actuated to deliver a surplus amount of popping oil from the reservoir to the heating pan on its stroke-in one direction and to withdraw an excess amount of oil from the heating pan on its stroke in the opposite direction, switch means for establishing electric circuits through said heating element, mechanical means for operating said pump, and means associated therewith for opening the switch at the conclusion of the pump stroke to deliver popping oil from the reservoir to the heating pan'.

4. A machine for popping and vending popcorn, including an enclosure, a popcorn spout leading through a wall thereof, a coin control device mounted through a wall thereof, a heating pan disposed within said enclosure, electric heating elements positioned within the bottom of said pan, a popping oil reservoir, a reciprocating pump delivering oil from the reservoir to the pan on one stroke and returning surplus oil to the reservoir on the opposite stroke, a tiltable popping receptacle having a discharge opening in the side thereof, and a foraminated fioor in the bottom thereof, means for supporting said tiltable receptacle to permit it to swing from a position where its floor will be submerged in the popping oil within the heating pan and whereby it may be lifted and swung'to an .inclined position to cause popped corn to be discharged through the open side thereofand into the chute through the wall of the enclosure, a com hopper, measuring means for delivering a determined quantity of corn to the receptacle for popping, an electric motor, synchronous operating means driven thereby, said synchronous operating means actuating. the pump, the tilting receptacle and the corn measuring means in a popping cycle, and an electric I circuit for the popping oil heating means, an electric circuit for the motor, and a switch actuated by the coin control means for closing said circuit-s and actuated by the synchronous driving means at the conclusion of the popping cycle to open said circuits.

5. A machine for popping and vending popcorn, including an enclosure, a popcorn spout leading through a wall thereof, a coin control device mounted through a wall thereof, a heating pan disposed within said enclosure, electric heating elements positioned within the bottom of said pan, a popping oil reservoir, a reciprocating pump delivering oil from the reservoir to the pan on one stroke and returning surplus oil to the reservoir on the opposite stroke, a tiltable popping receptacle having a discharge opening in the side thereof, and a foraminated floor in the bottom thereof, means for supporting said tiltable receptacle to permit it to swing from a position where its flo'or will be submerged in the popping oil within the heating pan and whereby it may be lifted and swung to an inclined position to cause popped corn to be discharged through the open side thereof and into the chute through the wall of the enclosure, a corn hopper, measuring means for delivering a determined quantity of corn to the receptacle for popping, an electric motor, synchronous operating means driven thereby, said synchronous operating means actuating the pump, the tilting receptacle and the corn measuring means in a popping cycle, an electric circuit for the motor, a switch actuated by the coin control means for closing said circuits and actuated by the synchronous driving means at the conclusion of the popping cycle to open said circuits, means permitting limited movement between the popping receptacle and its support, and vibrating means driven by said synchronous driving mechanism when the popping receptacle is in its popping position whereby to vibrate the receptacle with relation to its support.

LOUIS K. OBDYKE. 

